How to Make an Exercise Desk at Home Including on Peloton
Have you considered setting up an exercise desk at home?
If so, youโre not alone.
With so many of us working in hybrid situations, you may be interested in finding a way to create a workable space at home that also is good for your health.
Iโm sure youโve seen the studies that say sitting can be as bad for us as smoking.
Ouch.
Itโs one of the reasons that I have a timer on my phone set to go off every hour so I know to stand up, if Iโm sitting at a desk.
Otherwise, Iโll rely on my exercise desk or walking desk to get in my steps, get my work done and keep me healthy.
What is an exercise desk
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Exercise desks take many forms. These include:
- walking desk
- standing or standup desk
- desk cycle or bike
We have had an exercise desk, in one form or another, for more than a decade.
In fact, in our house now, we have two of three kinds of exercise desks Iโve mentioned in that bulleted list above.
We have a DIY treadmill or walking desk.
Also, we have a bike desk using our Peloton.
First, Iโll explain how we created each of these two kinds of desks that let you workout while you work.
Then, Iโll explain how you can set up a standing or stand up desk.
Finally, Iโll make suggestions on how you can make these kinds of desks for you at home.
Iโll share tips using items you already own as well as new ones you may want to buy.
Whenever possible, Iโll share pictures so it all makes sense.
Treadmill desk
My desire to create a walking desk or treadmill desk started a number of years ago as a New Yearโs resolution.
I read some medical research about how sitting isnโt good for my health.
These studies had shown that people who sit a lot tend to die younger.
I knew I wanted a walking desk, but I didnโt want to spend thousands of dollars getting one into my office.
FYI, walking desks are sometimes called exercise desks, treadmill offices, workstation treadmill, and more.
We already owned a treadmill so I figured there had to be a hack out there that could turn my regular treadmill into a walking desk.
My husband figured something out using products we already had at home.
This setup is so easy that even if youโre not DIY inclined, you could make a treadmill desk, too.
My DIY walking desk
Basically, what we did was create a work surface above our existing treadmill.
Itโs a NordicTrack treadmill weโve had for years and I love.
We accomplished this by taking a board that is 16 inches deep and 32.5 inches wide.
Itโs supposed to be a shelf to hang on a wall, but we werenโt using it at the time.
Then, we clamped the shelf/board to the handles of the treadmill.
We used two bar clamps, which tighten with a pumping motionโlike pulling the trigger on a spray bottleโand then lock in place.
The board aka desk surface is wide enough for me to fit my laptop, external mouse/trackball, and a pad of paper and pen for taking notes while working and walking.
Itโs like being able to spread out on a regular desk, albeit one that is suspended above the treadmill on which I am walking.
Itโs not pretty, but it works.

Walking pad for a walking desk
Another options that wasnโt available when I first made my walking desk is something called a Walking Pad.
These are under desk treadmills specifically designed to be paired with standing desks.
Unlike a traditional treadmill, the Walking Pad does not have any handles.
So, you can slip it right under a table that raises up to standing height.
Also, Walking Pads fold up.
Therefore, if youโre short on space, you can tuck them away when the work day is over.
On the other hand, they are so slim that you could slide them under a piece of furniture, too, to get them out of the way.
How to walk and work at your exercise desk
Some people are amazed that I can do both simultaneously.
Understand that when Iโm working at my treadmill desk, Iโm walking at a leisurely 1.5 miles per hour.
Thatโs like a pace you would use when strolling with your dog.
Honestly, walking and working at the laptop is easier than you might thinkโand Iโm pretty klutzy.
What is sometimes challenging, however, is hand writing anything, which is why I tend to stick with the computer work.
When I use my treadmill desk, I walk, on average, an extra 60 minutes a day.
All together I am getting significantly more exercise in my day.
And my lower back does hurt a lot less than it used to.
Because I always stretch afterwards.
Stretching is so important.
Spintray for Peloton
With my Peloton bike I hadnโt found a way to have the cycle do double duty as a workstation.
I know people whoโve had cycle desks or bike desks, but these were built using โregularโ spin or stationary bikes.
I wasnโt sure you could turn your Peloton into a bike desk.
Until now.
What is the SpinTray exercise desk?
Then I discovered something called the SpinTray for Peloton.
Itโs a custom-cut piece of acrylic that slips over the Peloton handlebars.
Itโs got a little โstickโ to it (but not like flypaper) so your laptop doesnโt slide off.
Use code LEAH10 at checkout to save 10%.
This is a great option when you want to use your Peloton for a โJust Rideโ while checking email or working on your computer.
Clearly, you do not want to do a HIIT ride or a Power Zone class with your laptop in front of you.
But if youโre looking to be active while working at a โdesk,โ the SpinTray is a great option.
Iโve even recommended the Spintray in my gift guide for Peloton users.
Thatโs a picture of my Spin tray on my Peloton bike, with my laptop on top.
Yes, you really can work on your computer while on the bike.
SpinTray for Bike Plus
The makers of SpinTray have leveled up their game by rolling out different versions of the original SpinTray.
Also on their e-commerce siteโand not available on Amazon, Etsy, or anywhere else?
Since the handlebar shape of the Peloton Bike Plus changed, so, too, did the shape of the Bike Plus SpinTray.
So as not to confuse readers, Iโm calling this the SpinTray Plus.
Speaking of Bike Plus, here is my comparison of the original Peloton versus the Peloton Bike Plus.
SpinTray for a treadmill
The creator of the SpinTray now sells the StepTray.
Itโs basically the SpinTray for the Peloton Tread.
It goes in the area underneath the Treadโs screen.
Anyway, Iโve had people land on my blog, looking for a bike desk for Peloton.
Theyโre searching for a Peloton laptop holder or tray.
Or a Peloton desk attachment.
Whatever you call it, this real SpinTray can help you get your work done and keep your Peloton streak going.
Here are more accessories for your Tread.
Finally, I just discovered that Top Form Design makes a step tray for traditional treadmills now.
Iโm going to get a tray for my NordicTrack treadmill after all.
At its tallest itโs only 34 inches.
Laptop stand to create a standing desk
In addition to buying a regular table that happens to have an adjustable height, you can also get yourself a laptop stand or a laptop riser.
This can help you turn a regular table into a standing or stand up desk by raising the surface on which you put your laptop.
The folks behind the aforementioned SpinTray and StepTray have a laptop stand.
It comes as part of the StepTray.
However, if you want to DIY your standing desk, I would recommend this laptop stand.
This article focuses exclusively on making a standing desk.
Exercise desk ergonomics
Regardless of which exercise desk you decide to build or buy, you should always practice good ergonomics.
This helps avoid sore muscles and fatigue.
First, you want to make sure that you arenโt looking down to see your computer screen.
Itโs why, with my walking desk, I propped my laptop up on a bin.
Next, you donโt want to be reaching too far to get to your keyboardโor squishing your wrists in.
They should lay comfortably on the desk as if you were sitting at a regular desk.
Finally, think about your footwear.
So what about footwear?
Well, if youโre at a standup desk, wear sturdy, supportive shoes.
Maybe a small step to rest one of your feet on to help your lower back.